Life-Course Psychosocial Stress and Risk of Dementia and Stroke in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adverse adulthood experiences (AAEs) associated with an increased risk of incident dementia and stroke in middle-aged and older adults in China?In this cohort study of 11 601 adults, exposure to high levels of ACEs and AAEs was significantly associated with increased dementia risk, with AAEs also being associated with increased stroke risk; depression partially mediated these associations.These findings suggest that life-course adverse experiences may increase the risks of dementia and stroke partly through depression, underscoring the importance of early identification of psychosocial stressors and preventative strategies aimed at mental health and trauma support.

Corresponding Authors: Jianhui Zhao, MPH, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China (jzhao40@mgh.harvard.edu); Shan Liu, PhD, Center of Clinical Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, 54 Youdian Rd, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (graystar92@163.com).

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